Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday assured Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of the central government’s full support for the flood-hit districts devastated by Cyclone Fengal, which has caused extensive damage and property loss across the state.
In a post on X, CM Stalin said that he had spoken with PM Modi to request immediate relief assistance and urged the Prime Minister to dispatch a central team to assess the cyclone’s impact.
On Monday, CM Stalin requested Rs 2,000 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to aid in restoration and rehabilitation efforts.
“Cyclone Fengal has wreaked unprecedented havoc across 14 districts of Tamil Nadu, affecting 1.5 crore people, inundating 2.11 lakh hectares of farmland, and damaging critical infrastructure. Given the magnitude of destruction, I urge Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release Rs2000 crore from the NDRF immediately to aid emergency restoration and rehabilitation efforts,” Stalin said in a post on X.
The incessant rains have forced the closure of schools in four districts. Seven people, including five children, died in a landslide caused by heavy rainfall in Thiruvannamalai district. CM Stalin announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the victims.